Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla pleads not guilty as incitement trial begins in Durban

The state has concluded leading evidence from its first witness in the incitement case against Member of Parliament, Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla.

She faces two counts of public violence and another of incitement to commit terrorism. The charges relate to the July 2021 unrest that swept across KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng.

The trial commenced on Monday in the Durban High Court after Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla pleaded not guilty to all the charges.

READ: Police General testifies Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla incited riots, highlights KZN violence

The state led evidence from its first witness, Police Major General Gopaul Govender.

Govender told the court that a number of WhatsApp groups were formed to rally support for former President Jacob Zuma’s release from prison. However, he admitted that Zuma-Sambudla was not a member of any of these groups.

Despite this, Govender testified that her social media account did incite violence.

“It became evident through our investigative methodology that this Twitter account that was registered under the name of the accused before court was indeed being used for the purposes of conveying or inciting followers.”

Meanwhile, her party, the uMkhonto Wesizwe (MK) Party, said the case is political.

Proceedings are set to continue on Tuesday and are expected to proceed for the next two weeks.